Procedural vote on bailout bill splits Alabama delegation

WASHINGTON | In a procedural vote this morning, U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, opposed the House's taking up a controversial economic bailout bill, but is undecided about what he'll do when the House votes later today on whether to approve the legislation and send it to the Senate, a spokeswoman indicated.

"He's still reviewing it," said the spokeswoman, Nancy Wall.

In the 220-198 party-line vote, Alabama's other four House Republicans also opposed consideration of the measure. At the Bush administration's urging, it would provide up to $700 billion in taxpayer money for the federal government to buy up problem securities. The delegation's two Democrats, U.S. Reps. Artur Davis of Birmingham, and Bud Cramer of Huntsville, supported consideration.

A spokeswoman for Davis, whose district includes Choctaw County and part of Clarke County, declined to say how he intends to vote on passage of the bill. That vote will probably occur early this afternoon Washington time. Assuming the bill wins House approval, the Senate could take it up as early as Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.